Chapter Text
The greatest happiness for Harry was to be reunited with his dear godfather, Sirius, after so many days of separation. The joy of finding him alive and well seemed incredible, and Harry felt as if he were soaring into the clouds, reborn.
Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place greeted them with a solemn silence, broken only by the faint creaking of floorboards and the rustle of ancient tapestries on the walls. The house was gloomy, bearing traces of its former grandeur, yet at the same time cozy, imbued with an almost imperceptible magic. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, treading carefully, followed Sirius upstairs to Harry's bedroom.
The room was small but tastefully furnished. A heavy dark wooden bed, covered with a fluffy blanket, occupied most of the space. By the window stood an antique writing desk cluttered with books and scrolls. The dim light of a candle crackling in a bronze candlestick cast whimsical shadows on the walls, creating an air of mystery.
Sirius, smiling as he watched his friends, pointed to the bed:
"Make yourself comfortable, Harry. Feel at home."
Harry, still unable to believe his luck, sat down on the bed. The mattress turned out to be surprisingly soft, and the pillows fluffy like clouds. He felt the fatigue accumulated over the past few days beginning to leave him.
"Thank you, Sirius," he said sincerely. "I'm so glad to see you."
Sirius ruffled his hair:
"I'm glad too, Harry. Very glad."
At that moment, the door creaked open, and Kreacher, the house-elf who served the Black family, shuffled into the room. His large, bulging eyes stared curiously at Harry.
"Kreacher has brought a blanket for young Master Harry Potter," he croaked, handing Harry a neatly folded blanket. "Kreacher is pleased that young Master is safe."
Harry, surprised but flattered, accepted the blanket:
"Thank you, Kreacher."
Kreacher bowed deeply, nearly touching his nose to the floor, and, muttering something under his breath, shuffled away.
"Don't pay him any mind," Sirius said, noticing Harry's confusion. "He's a bit… peculiar. But deep down, he's a loyal elf."
Harry nodded, still impressed by his encounter with Kreacher. He wrapped himself in the blanket, feeling its warmth envelop him.
"Rest, Harry," Sirius said. "You need to gather your strength."
With those words, he left the room, leaving Harry alone with his thoughts. Harry closed his eyes, enjoying the silence and peace. He was home. He was safe. He was with Sirius. And that was all he needed at that moment. He drifted off to sleep, feeling a tranquility he hadn’t experienced in a very long time.
***
In the morning, Harry was awakened by the clatter of a tray placed on the bedside table. Blinking, he saw a cheerful house-elf standing over him, carrying a tray with buttered toast, jam, and a cup of tea. Harry blinked several times, rubbing his tired eyes, utterly astonished by the sight of the elf. Ignoring how this came about, he weakly smiled in gratitude and began to savor the gift appreciatively.
Morning burst into the room with insistent knocking and the clinking of dishes. Harry, squinting against the bright light streaming through the cracks in the curtains, propped himself up on the bed and saw Kreacher standing by the bedside table with a tray in his hands.
"Breakfast for young Master Harry Potter," croaked the elf, placing the tray on the table. "Kreacher hopes young Master enjoys it."
On the tray steamed a cup of strong tea, emitting an invigorating aroma, and next to it lay a stack of golden toasts with butter and jam. Harry, unaccustomed to such treatment, smiled shyly:
"Thank you, Kreacher."
The elf seemed pleased with the effect produced. He adjusted Harry’s blanket, surveyed the room with a proprietary glance, and, shuffling contentedly, exited, muttering to himself.
Harry, still sleepy, reached for the tea. Taking a sip, he felt warmth spread through his body, driving away the remnants of sleep. His gaze fell on a crumpled newspaper lying at the edge of the bed. Curious, he unfolded it and, to his surprise, found it was a Muggle newspaper — he would have recognized the "Daily Prophet" out of a thousand.
"Where did this Muggle newspaper come from?" Harry muttered, scanning the headlines.
Harry quickly read through the paper, glancing at the headlines and chuckling at local news. He burst out laughing when he stumbled upon an article about a cat stuck in a tree. Reading was simple and pleasant, as if Harry had found a connection to the world where he once belonged.
Harry smiled and set the newspaper aside. The room was still shrouded in shadow, but Harry could hear the sounds of life stirring beyond the room. Taking another sip of tea, he decided to wake up properly and wait for Sirius to plan their next steps. Harry knew that whatever happened next, he was surrounded by people who loved him and would do everything to protect him, giving him a tremendous sense of comfort. He was grateful for everything he had, and for the unexpected Muggle paper that brought a piece of his old life into this enchanting new world.
There was a knock at the door, and the Weasley twins entered the room.
"Harry, are you up?" Fred called cheerfully.
"Great news!" George chimed in. "Mum says we’re going to St. Mungo’s today! To visit Dad!"
"That’s… that’s great," Harry replied automatically, not taking his eyes off the newspaper. "How is he?"
"Better than before," Mrs. Weasley answered, entering the room after the twins. "He has many puncture wounds, but the healers promise to cure him soon."
"Thank Merlin," Hermione whispered, appearing in the doorway with Ron and Ginny.
"What are you reading, Harry?" Ron asked, peering over Harry’s shoulder.
"A Muggle newspaper," Harry replied, not looking away from the article. "And it seems we’ve got problems. Serious problems."
"What happened?" Ginny asked, alarmed.
Harry handed her the newspaper.
"See for yourselves."
Ginny took the newspaper and began reading aloud:
Passenger Plane Crash: A Mystical Catastrophe
A thorough investigation has been launched into the crash of the passenger plane A320 en route to Northern Scotland. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were meticulously examined to determine what led to the fatal disaster. The audio recording shows that everyone on board, including the crew and passengers, experienced excruciating pain and screamed loudly. The crew abruptly directed the plane downward, leading to a rapid loss of altitude. None of the crew managed to take any action to recover the plane from the dive, resulting in tragedy and the death of over two hundred passengers. It was suggested that the catastrophe could have been avoided if the pilots had engaged the autopilot. However, recent reports indicate that the pilots preferred to make a manual approach and explain their decision not to engage the autopilot. Rescuers found passengers strapped into their seats, further confirming this information. Additionally, numerous eyewitness accounts reported a red flash on the horizon before the crash.
Ginny faltered, her face turning pale.
"A red flash?" she asked, raising her eyes to Harry. "Like back at the graveyard?"
"Yes," Harry nodded. "It was Voldemort’s Cruciatus Curse. He aimed at Jeanne but missed… and hit the plane."
A heavy silence hung in the room. Everyone was silent, stunned by what they had heard.
"Hundreds of people died," Hermione said quietly. "Because of us."
"Not because of us," Harry countered. "Because of him. Because of Voldemort."
"But… how is that possible?" Ron asked, bewildered. "How can you shoot down a plane with one spell?"
"I don’t know," Harry shook his head. "But it was definitely the Cruciatus Curse. I saw that flash. And I saw the plane start to fall."
"It seems Voldemort is getting stronger," Jeanne remarked, entering the room. "And he no longer intends to hide."
"What do you mean?" Fred asked.
"Look," Jeanne handed them another newspaper, this time the "Daily Prophet." "It seems the magical world can no longer hide what’s happening from the Muggles."
Harry took the newspaper and began reading aloud:
The Daily Telegraph
September 27, 1995
The Terrorist Group 'Death Eaters': Who They Are and What They Want?
Since its emergence, the terrorist group 'Death Eaters' has instilled fear and anxiety among the population of Great Britain. These mysterious bandits boldly seize power in regions and commit horrific crimes day and night, threatening the lives and well-being of many people in our country. Several tragic events over the last few months have alarmed the government and prompted it to take extreme measures to ensure the safety of our citizens.
We know little about who actually comprises this mystical group. The people behind the 'Death Eaters' remain hidden in the shadows and operate extremely secretly, posing a serious threat to public safety in Great Britain. They have shown no clarity in their demands and goals other than wanting to attract public and governmental attention.
However, we can establish that this group has some political motives. Some sources say that the 'Death Eaters' are behind a series of murders related to opposition against a supposed Ministry of Magic. Conflicts between the two camps are extraordinarily high, and some sources consider the 'Death Eaters' group to be an instrument of this supposed Ministry of Magic in this struggle. In any case, the fact remains: the 'Death Eaters' have become enemies of law and order, and their crimes have brought much suffering and pain to our country.
"Death Eaters, Ministry of Magic," George whistled after reading. "Now they’re writing about this in Muggle newspapers! We’ve really come to this!"
"It’s all Voldemort," Harry said. "He’s no longer hiding. He’s started acting openly. And it seems he has gained new allies."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"Read on," Harry turned the page and continued reading.
The Guardian
October 12, 1995
Mysterious UFO Attacks and Other Enigmatic Incidents in London
Recently, London has witnessed several mysterious incidents that remain unresolved. One of them involved UFO strikes that occurred right in the city center, causing horror and fear among the government and the public. These strikes were the largest and most destructive attack on London since World War II.
No one knows who or what is behind these mass destructions, but some sources are already trying to link them to the mysterious organization known as the 'Death Eaters.' This group is notorious for its terrorist activities, and although there is currently no evidence linking them to specific incidents, some experts believe the 'Death Eaters' may be responsible for these destructions as well as other mysterious incidents occurring in London.
Moreover, mass murders and disappearances may be linked to little green men. There are also rumors of a real Jack the Ripper or his imitator returning after a hundred years to continue his terrifying actions.
"Jack the Ripper?" Ron asked. "Again?"
"It seems he never stopped killing," Jeanne noted. "It’s just that the magical community managed to conceal his crimes from the Muggles before."
"And what about the UFOs?" Fred asked. "Could they really be the flying fortresses Dudley mentioned?"
"Maybe," Hermione replied. "Remember, Fujimaru said that some Servants can create entire armies, summon various creatures? What if one of them can summon… or create… flying objects?"
"You mean Voldemort summoned a Servant who controls UFOs?" George asked skeptically.
"Or not just Voldemort," Jeanne added meaningfully. "We don’t know how many Masters are involved in this war. And what their goals are."
"But why attack London?" Ginny asked. "What do they want to achieve?"
"Chaos," Harry answered. "Fear. Confusion. They want to destabilize the situation, sow panic. And in such an atmosphere, it will be easier for them to act."
"And it seems they’re succeeding quite well," Ron remarked, pointing to the next newspaper Hermione began reading.
The Times
November 5, 1995
Mysterious Events in London: Between Death Eaters and Mysterious Gangs
London has recently witnessed a series of mysterious and enigmatic events, causing outrage and concern in our society. Since the summer, several horrific crimes have occurred, including murders, disappearances, and destructive UFO attacks. Despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies, these terrorist acts continue to instill fear and terror on our streets.
At the same time, many sources suggest that these incidents may be linked to a mysterious and dangerous group known as the 'Death Eaters.' Although there is no evidence connecting them to specific incidents, some specialists believe the 'Death Eaters' may be responsible for these horrific crimes.
The mysterious leader of the 'Death Eaters' avoids public and governmental attention, and so far, no one knows who they really are. We can assume that this group shares political ideas with other terrorist organizations, guided by principles of violence and fear. Some sources link them to extremism and societal division, as their victims include influential politicians as well as ordinary citizens.
Nevertheless, we cannot ignore the possibility that these events may be caused by other mysterious forces, such as little green men and, of course, Jack the Ripper. In some forensic circles, it is said that the real Jack the Ripper or his imitator may be among us today, having returned after a century to continue his brutal work. Though it sounds unthinkable, we cannot rule anything out, considering the nature and circumstances of these horrifying crimes.
Therefore, we urge all citizens to be cautious and warn their loved ones about this mysterious and deadly threat. We need to unite to stop this gang of terrorists and cleanse the streets of London. We must do everything possible to return our society to normal life and rid ourselves of the looming threat.
"It seems the magical world can no longer hide what’s happening from the Muggles," Hermione said. "Too much is happening. Too many strange, unexplainable events."
"And what do we do now?" Ginny asked.
"Wait," Harry replied. "And be ready for anything."
"And stick together," Ron added.
"And perhaps listen to what Dudley said," Hermione suggested. "His dreams might be the key to solving the mystery."
"And also," Harry added after a pause, "we need to tell Dumbledore everything we’ve learned. He needs to know what’s happening. And I think it’s time to have an honest conversation with Fujimaru and Masha. I have a feeling they’re hiding a lot."
Out on the street, Harry felt the cold wind hitting him directly in the face, making him feel a refreshing coolness in his lungs. His mind was filled with thoughts of Voldemort and what awaited them in the near future. But he couldn’t think about it alone. His friends were there to help him through all these difficulties.
London greeted them with an unusual, ominous silence. Usually bustling streets filled with people rushing about their business now seemed deserted and lifeless. Even the Christmas decorations hanging here and there couldn’t dispel the oppressive atmosphere.
"Strange," Ron muttered, looking around. "Where has everyone gone?"
"I don’t know," Hermione replied, "but I don’t like it."
Harry remained silent. He felt anxiety growing, a chill running down his spine. The scar on his forehead tingled slightly, as if warning of danger. Suddenly, he remembered: he had felt similar sensations on the night he witnessed the crash of the Airbus. Then the sky was also cut by a strange crimson flash, and then… Then he saw a huge machine, engulfed in flames, falling to the ground. Could this somehow be connected to what’s happening now?
Suddenly, their attention was drawn by a strange metallic sound coming from around the corner. They cautiously peeked out and saw a tank slowly moving down the street. Soldiers in camouflage uniforms, weapons at the ready, walked alongside it.
"What does this mean?" Harry whispered, hardly believing his eyes. He suddenly remembered that Dudley had been seeing strange dreams about flying fortresses lately. Could these events be connected?
"It seems the Muggles are also preparing for war," Masha said, her voice tense.
"But why tanks in central London?" Ron wondered.
"Maybe they’re looking for Death Eaters," Hermione suggested. "Or… Servants. Or those flying fortresses."
At that moment, a tall figure cloaked in a black cape emerged from around the corner. Harry instinctively reached for his wand, but immediately recognized Moody.
"Moody!" he exclaimed, feeling relieved.
"Potter!" Moody growled in his raspy voice. "What are you doing here?"
"We’re going to St. Mungo’s," Harry replied. "And you?"
"Patrolling," Moody answered briefly. "The city is restless. Death Eaters could be anywhere. And not just them."
"You mean Servants?" Jeanne asked, stepping forward.
"And them," Moody nodded. "Be careful. And it’s better for you to get to the hospital quickly and stay out of sight. Yes, Potter, and tell Dumbledore – let him keep an eye on Snape. I have suspicions about him. Big suspicions. And also," Moody lowered his voice, "it seems someone in the Ministry is leaking information."
With those words, Moody turned and, limping, walked away. Harry and his friends exchanged glances. Moody’s words only heightened their anxiety.
"It seems things are bad," Ron said.
"Worse than ever," Hermione agreed. "We need to be extremely careful."
"And stick together," Harry added firmly, gripping his wand. "And maybe listen to what Dudley said. Maybe his dreams mean something."
They continued on their way, trying not to draw attention to themselves. But the oppressive atmosphere in the city wouldn’t let them relax. Every rustle, every sound made them flinch and look around. They felt they were being watched, that danger lurked at every step. And Harry couldn’t shake off a strange sense of déjà vu related to the plane crash. It was as if he saw that crimson flash in the sky again, as if he felt that horror and despair once more.
"Do you think," Harry asked Hermione as they passed another patrol, "Dudley could have dreamed of that very object? You know, the one that’s now wreaking havoc in London?"
Hermione thought for a moment.
"Quite possible," she replied. "If we believe Fujimaru, Servants can influence reality, alter space and time. What if one of them can enter people’s dreams? Or project images from another dimension?"
"You mean this flying thing – something like… a materialized dream?" Ron asked skeptically.
"I don’t know," Hermione shrugged. "But it would explain why Dudley saw it before it appeared in London. And why Muggles call it a UFO – they don’t know what it really is."
"But why would a Servant attack London?" Harry asked. "What benefit does he get from it?"
"Maybe it’s a test," Jeanne suggested. "Or a show of strength. Or maybe part of some plan we don’t understand yet."
"In any case, we need to be on guard," Harry said. "And tell Dumbledore everything. He needs to know what’s happening."
At that moment, they turned the corner and stumbled upon a newsstand. In the display was a fresh issue of the "Daily Mail" with a screaming headline:
Daily Mail
December 20, 1995
Apocalypse on the Streets of London: Government Fails to Cope with Terrorist Attacks and UFO Assaults
Shock and horror have gripped our nation following a series of terrorist attacks, brutal murders, and mass disappearances of citizens. All this is happening against the backdrop of constant UFO attacks, which only increase the fear and anxiety of our citizens. The whole situation is spiraling out of control, leaving our political leaders and law enforcement agencies in a difficult position. This mysterious terrorist group, known as the 'Death Eaters,' attacks our people and instills fear in the hearts of peaceful citizens. Our hapless leaders cannot find a suitable solution to this threat, and society is plunging into darkness.
"It seems things are really bad," Ron muttered, reading the headline.
"And that’s putting it mildly," Hermione noted, scanning the article. "Listen: ‘…UFO attacks appear real, and this only heightens the fear and anxiety of our people…’"
"So, Muggles really see these flying objects," Harry frowned. "And they’re panicking."
"Not surprising," Jeanne said. "Imagine you’re an ordinary person who knows nothing about magic. And suddenly you see a huge, incomprehensible thing in the sky destroying everything around. Anyone would panic."
"And what does 'The Times' say?" Fred asked, pointing to a stack of newspapers nearby.
George picked up the top copy and began reading:
The Times
December 24, 1995
Civil Liberties Under Threat Due to Mad Terrorist Group and UFO Attacks
The situation in London remains extremely tense due to the terrorist group known as the 'Death Eaters' and the utterly insane UFO attacks. Today, the government announced that it highly values the security of our society and will take any measures to protect it. Regarding the most important decisions being made, the government has already announced the imposition of a curfew and the deployment of the British army onto the streets.
Over the past few days, civil liberties have been severely restricted to prevent terrorist attacks, assaults, disappearances, and UFO attacks. The measures our leaders are taking now go far beyond the democratic frameworks we have in our country. But when the threat becomes as mad as in this case, we must act extraordinarily decisively.
"A curfew?" Ginny asked. "Army on the streets? Is it really that serious?"
"It seems so," Harry nodded. "Voldemort and his allies are sowing chaos. And Muggles don’t know how to deal with it."
"What if…" Ron began but stopped.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"What if the magical world decides to intervene?" Ron finished. "I mean, openly. To protect the Muggles."
Everyone fell silent, pondering this idea.
"That would be…" Hermione began but also fell silent.
"Risky," Jeanne finished for her. "It would violate the Statute of Secrecy. And we don’t know how Muggles would react."
"But if we do nothing," Harry countered, "innocent people will die. Like those who were on the plane."
"You’re right," Hermione agreed. "But we need to think everything through carefully. And consult with Dumbledore."
"And with Fujimaru," Jeanne added. "He knows more about Servants and how to fight them."
"Right," Harry nodded. "We need to gather all the information as soon as possible and develop a plan of action. Otherwise, it might be too late."
They continued on their way, discussing what they had read in the newspapers and speculating about what lay ahead. The atmosphere of fear and uncertainty thickened with each step.
Upon reaching the hospital, they realized everything had changed there too. The building, which had always been full of visitors, was now surrounded by armed guards, and everyone was thoroughly checked at the entrance. Harry and his friends had to undergo several checks before they were finally allowed inside.
The war for the Holy Grail had already begun. And it was being fought not only in the magical world but also in the Muggle world. And no one knew how it would end.